Vista junior linebacker/running back and team captain Isaac Estrada described the season as “tough” after the Panthers dropped their seventh straight game Friday night at home to Hilltop, 35-12, falling to 0-7.
But Estrada said the Panthers’ bond has remained a constant through the difficult season.
“Our brotherhood is what separates us from other teams,” Estrada told The Coast News. “We have all been playing together since freshman season and have a special bond.”
The Panthers entered the season having graduated 17 players. Senior Irvin Garcia is the defense’s lone returning starter after starting about half of Vista’s games at defensive back last season. More than three starters were injured during the first three games, forcing a roster full of first-year varsity players into new positions.
“This year has been shaky for me so far, getting moved around constantly to new positions every week due to injury,” Estrada said.
Vista coach Ryan McHale, now in his second season, said the team has benefited from the continuity that was missing when he took over shortly before spring ball last year. Vista had gone through three head coaches in successive years.
“We’re a lot farther along,” McHale told The Coast News at the start of the season. “I mean, last year I got the job right before spring ball, so I was trying to get to know the kids, implement the systems and get everything going.”
The players have since had a full offseason to train, learn the playbook and become comfortable with McHale and his staff.
“The continuity, the kids being comfortable with me and the staff has made a difference,” McHale said.
Several of Vista’s younger players are now taking on larger roles.
Junior quarterback David Vasquez is a first-year varsity starter after playing a limited backup role last season. McHale said Vasquez has improved at recognizing defensive coverages, identifying the conflict linebacker and finding open zones, allowing him to throw receivers open rather than wait for them to get open.
Estrada pointed to sophomore receivers Tryntyn Littles and Andrew Zendejas.
He also singled out sophomore left tackle Malakai Avalos, who has competed against some of the county’s top sack leaders.
Against Hilltop, Vasquez completed 11 of 16 passes for 149 yards and a touchdown. Zendejas caught five passes for 94 yards and the touchdown, including a 40-yard reception.
For a team still searching for its first win, those individual performances give Vista something to build on.
“I believe we have solidified our positions within this team,” Estrada said. “We know what we are capable of.”
North County Scoreboard
Oceanside 28, San Marcos 21
Valley Center 48, Escondido 0
Hilltop 35, Vista 12
Carlsbad 30, Torrey Pines 7
Poway 26, El Camino 9
Mission Hills 14, La Costa Canyon 0
De La Salle 42, Cathedral Catholic 0
Mira Mesa 21, Rancho Buena Vista 17
Santa Fe Christian 35, King/Drew 7
San Diego County Top 20 — Week 7
- Carlsbad
- Cathedral Catholic
- Santa Fe Christian
- Granite Hills
- Mission Hills
- Rancho Bernardo
- Helix
- La Costa Canyon
- Oceanside
- Torrey Pines
- San Marcos
- Del Norte
- Point Loma
- Christian
- Lincoln
- Eastlake
- Patrick Henry
- Poway
- St. Augustine
- Grossmont
